I hope someone can help with this please.
I have just acquired a Stageline, as a long overdue replacement for the internal phono amplification of my Linn preamp. I run SBL speakers with the active NAXO 2-4 and have loved that combination.
At the moment, the NAXO is powered by a HiCap and works well.
Adding in the Stageline I want to check precisely which connections and signal path I should use- I wasn’t able to find the exact combination in the forum of my hybrid Naim / Linn system. If I’ve understood correctly, the stageline is powered through a SNAIC out of one of the 5 pin outputs on the Hicap.
Some questions:
does it matter which output powers the Stageline and which the NAXO?
I assume the signal path of the existing NAXO to amp doesn’t change, and that the Stageline’s output flows through the HiCap with a connection into an input on the preamp? Is this correct, and which connectors do I need to use on the HiCap?
Sorry for the basic questions, I just want to be absolutely sure I’m not creating any sort of loop within the HiCap or anywhere else!
Andrew, a HICAP can only power a single item, so you can’t use one HICAP to power both a NAXO and a Stageline. You will need a suitable power supply for the Stageline; the most basic is the i-Supply (s), next a Flatcap, then a HICAP, or ultimately a SUPERCAP.
Note that you will need a SNAIC5 and a 4-5 interconnect if using a Flatcap, HICAP or SUPERCAP.
The answer is as described above but I would recommend a Naim Flatcap XS as it is likely to be the best compromise between cost and performance for the Stageline. If you have a suitable Naim Pre-amp there is likely to be be a 5-pin combined input and power socket which can power tethe Stageline (usually labeled as AUX2) and if not already being used it will probably have a plastic cap cover over it.
I clearly didn’t do a good job with my homework - I’d seen it stated (not on this forum, admittedly) that a Hicap would power both.
I’m heading off to source a Flatcap now. Bad news for the bank, good news for the rack which will gain another resident….
Just one further thought to mention is that the blackbox Flatcaps will power 2 pieces of Naim equipment. For example I have a Flatcap XS powering a CD5 and Stageline.
